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Henderson and Chilwell out, Wharton and Jones in
Jacob Steinberg
Gareth Southgate is set to make a string of huge decisions when he names England’s training squad, with Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones surprisingly selected over Jordan Henderson in midfield and Ben Chilwell left out despite major doubts over Luke Shaw’s fitness at left-back.
There is set to be a youthful, fresh look to the squad when it is announced. Henderson, who has not missed a major tournament since Euro 2012, has paid the price for a poor season. The former Liverpool captain struggled after moving to the Saudi Pro League and he has been unable to recover his form since joining Ajax in January.
Southgate has left out many of his old faithfuls in midfield, with Kalvin Phillips also omitted. Jones, the Liverpool midfielder, and Wharton, who has shone for Crystal Palace since joining them from Blackburn in the winter window, are the beneficiaries. Both players are uncapped. Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, another uncapped player, will also be included.
Key events
Gareth Southgate has seemingly prioritised youngsters who have been in form during this past club season. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, who is uncapped, will receive his second-ever call-up to the England squad. Despite Everton’s struggles this season, their defence was solid, with the side conceding 51 goals in the Premier League. Only the top three – Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool – conceded fewer goals and Branthwaite was a big part of shoring up the defence and ensuring that Sean Dyche’s side did not go into the final weeks of the campaign hampered by the weight of a possible relegation. The Carlisle academy graduate is in the Premier League’s top 10 for interceptions and no one his age or younger has made more than his 50.
Raheem Sterling misses out on his seventh England squad in a row. Since his move from Manchester City to Chelsea, the winger has been inconsistent and sometimes struggled for form. Several players have moved ahead of him in the pecking order. His last appearance for country was the 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in Qatar.
The uncapped duo of Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones have impressed for Liverpool this season. Quansah, 21, has four appearances for England’s under-21 squad and made 33 appearances under Jürgen Klopp on Merseyside this season.
Jones, 23, has made 20 appearances for England’s under-21 squad winning the European Under-21 Championship in 2023. He made 36 appearances for club this season, scoring five goals.
Palace’s attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze will make the squad after a strong end to the season. The West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen is in with James Maddison. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is likely to be included but there is doubt over Marcus Rashford’s place and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has not been included.
Southgate also has a defensive headache on his hands. Luke Shaw, his first-choice left-back, has not played for Manchester United since February but he will be given time to prove his fitness.
Southgate has previously taken players in the latter stages of injury rehabilitation to the previous two tournaments when 26-man squads have been permitted: Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson to Euro 2020; Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips to the 2022 World Cup. All contributed after missing the opening two matches.
Ben Chilwell, who hoped to deputise for Shaw, has not been included. The Chelsea left-back has struggled for fitness. His versatile Chelsea team-mate Levi Colwill will be in the provisional squad.
Southgate also has concerns in central defence, where Maguire is an injury doubt. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi is in the squad as is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Henderson and Chilwell out, Wharton and Jones in
Jacob Steinberg
Gareth Southgate is set to make a string of huge decisions when he names England’s training squad, with Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones surprisingly selected over Jordan Henderson in midfield and Ben Chilwell left out despite major doubts over Luke Shaw’s fitness at left-back.
There is set to be a youthful, fresh look to the squad when it is announced. Henderson, who has not missed a major tournament since Euro 2012, has paid the price for a poor season. The former Liverpool captain struggled after moving to the Saudi Pro League and he has been unable to recover his form since joining Ajax in January.
Southgate has left out many of his old faithfuls in midfield, with Kalvin Phillips also omitted. Jones, the Liverpool midfielder, and Wharton, who has shone for Crystal Palace since joining them from Blackburn in the winter window, are the beneficiaries. Both players are uncapped. Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, another uncapped player, will also be included.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the announcement for the provisional England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Gareth Southgate is expected to name at least 30 players and will then trim that number down to 26 ahead of the tournament in Germany.
The manager is expected to make some big changes, including the possible omissions of Jordan Henderson and Ben Chilwell.
Southgate’s selections will be announced at 2pm BST.
